Results 25,001-25,020 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy may be aware, the overall funding of €425m that will be available under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme is almost three times the funding available under the last LEADER Programmes. In addition, the rates of aid and maximum levels of funding available are significantly increased, in particular for non-commercial community projects. I am aware of the...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Community Services Programme (CSP) is managed and funded by my Department. As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Programme is to support voluntary and community groups in the wider community to provide essential services and employment opportunities with an emphasis on the alleviation of disadvantage. Currently, some 350 projects are in contract to provide services under the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Government and the EU. In addition to my Department, POBAL manages programmes on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of the Minister for Children, the Department of Transport, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Higher Education Authority. I...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 340 together. On the 30th of April 2007 I announced details of a night-time rural transport scheme to be run on a pilot basis, in 7 areas around the country. The 34 groups currently delivering the Rural Transport Programme operated by the Department of Transport, were invited to submit applications. Following the appraisal of the proposals submitted,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together. The position in relation to 2008 is set out in the following table. The Deputy will appreciate that decisions as to funding in 2009 will not be made until the details of the Public Services Estimates have been finalised in the context of the Budget.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have had no such discussions and I have no plans to do so.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: To date in 2008 €14.691m has been provided to various projects under the CLÁR programme. This represents almost 70% of the total allocation of €21.183 for this year. Given its popularity and emerging demand I anticipate an additional spend of the order of €3m on the programme this year.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 46 designated RAPID areas nationally. As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report progress under the RAPID programme. I initiated the RAPID leverage schemes in 2004 in order to...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy is aware, an allocation of €250 million is being provided from the National Lottery in 2008 for expenditure through the Votes of various Departments. Three of the subheads in my Department's Vote are partially funded by the National Lottery. The full allocation for these subheads is contained in the following table. Allocation 2008 €000 B.1 Supports for Community and...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: During 2008, my Department implemented the following measures funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund: Annual RAPID Additionality Measures; Flagship Measure funding two flagship projects; Recreation and Development for Disadvantaged Youth; and Substance Misuse Measure. Expenditure on these measures at the end of August 2008 amounted to some €5.277m. Of this, €5.2m was expended on projects...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The question of planning permission is primarily a matter for local authorities and these operate under guidelines and legislation prepared by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am cognisant however, of the concerns of some rural communities regarding the issues around the granting of planning permission. I believe that balanced physical planning is crucial and it...

Written Answers — Cruthú Fostaíochta: Cruthú Fostaíochta (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Mar atá curtha in iúl don Teachta cheana, tá feachtas láidir leanúnach ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta le haghaidh tograí a aimsiú chun breis fostaíochta a chur ar fáil ar fud na Gaeltachta agus is amhlaidh atá i nGaeltacht Iar-Thuaisceart Dhún na nGall. Go ginearálta, i láthair na huaire tá tuairim agus 740 fostaithe ar Pháirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair. Tá meascán níos...

Written Answers — Forbairt na nOileán: Forbairt na nOileán (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh.32 ar 15 Bealtaine 2008. Ar iarratas ó mo Roinnse, tá Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall, i gcomhairle le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, ag leanacht ar aghaidh leis an phróiseas chun Orduithe Ceannacháin Éigeantaigh a chur i bhfeidhm ar an talamh a theastaíonn don aerstráice ar Oileán Thoraigh.

Care of the Elderly. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has a mandate in relation to communities, be they urban, rural, Gaeltacht or island communities. Many of our programmes and schemes focus on communities, particularly on those that are vulnerable, disadvantages or under threat. As well as communities that can be defined in terms of geographic location, the Department supports those that are defined...

Care of the Elderly. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The money for the groups, Age Action Ireland and Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, is for the core central office. I do not believe this is an issue that can be driven in the communities around the country by putting money through a core central office. I am not against the existence of a core central office, but all that money goes to that office. We get the moneys to the communities...

Care of the Elderly. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: That is right. It appears today I am meant to be the whole Government wrapped in one, but I will let that pass. It was a good try. The Deputy is absolutely right. He and I have long agreed that the simpler the money trail from central Government and the more flexibility there is on the ground, the better the service. In all the changes we have made in terms, for example, of the cohesion...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of public bodies that are funded by or come within the ambit of my Department. These bodies are subject to relevant employment legislation and general Government policy on terms and remuneration of public service employees as detailed in various Department of Finance circulars. In the case of the North-South bodies under my Department, An Foras...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Contrary to what has been alleged publicly, I am satisfied that Waterways Ireland is delivering competently on the targets in its business plan and is an effective organisation. I am happy the body has a written policy on recruitment and promotions and on best practice principles, including fairness and transparency. I am assured the best public service practice is followed in all its...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Of course posts should be subject to open competition but as I pointed out, when the body was set up the people in the previous organisations had the right of transfer into the new body. I presume the Deputy does not query that. On the matter of standards, there are clearly written policies with regard to recruitment, promotions and best principles. These have been laid down by the two...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Following the independent process recommendations were made and followed.